California Gets "Paintcare" 10/19/12
California is following Oregon’s lead, and becoming the second state to implement “Paintcare”. This is an industry leading paint recycle program. Consumers and contractors will now be able to take leftover paint to designated paint stores and drop off their unwanted paint for free. It really isn’t for free; we are all paying for it when we buy paint. The fees range from .35 cents for less than a gallon to $1.60 per 5 gallon bucket. These upfront fees paid at time of purchase will pay for the program. Not every paint store will have drop-off available, so check first. Eventually there will be over 450 sites available state wide.Products that are covered in the program are interior and exterior architectural paints: latex, acrylic, water-based, alkyd, oil-based, enamel (all types of finishes and sheens, including textured coatings), deck coatings, floor paints (including elastomeric), primers, sealers, under coaters, stains, shellacs, lacquers, varnishes, urethanes (single component), waterproofing concrete/masonry/wood sealers and repellents (not tar or bitumen-based), swimming pool paints (single component), metal coatings, rust preventatives, field and lawn paints
Products that are not covered in this program are Paint thinners, mineral spirits and solvents aerosol paints (spray cans), auto and marine paints, traffic and road marking paints. arts and crafts paints, caulking compounds, epoxies, glues and adhesives, paint additives, colorants, tints and resins, wood preservatives, roof patch and repair, tar and bitumen-based products, 2-component coatings, deck cleaners, industrial Maintenance (IM) coatings, original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) (shop application) paints and finishes.
All containers must be labeled, sealed tightly, and not leaking, or they will not accept them. This is a great program that will help reduce the wasted paint left at many homes and businesses. It comes at a cost, but the benefits outweigh the small expense.
